Ashley17

Pleased with that, a nice surprise. Still areas to work on but that'll always be the case. According to Pardew before this game, if we could avoid defeat today there's a real chance to go unbeaten for another 5 or 6 games and to be fair, he has a point. However knowing this club we'll lose at Forest on Tuesday and then fail to beat Blackburn on Saturday.

Forest losing at home having had a man advantage for 85 minutes and being ahead after 5 minutes. McClaren will be lucky to see out the week.

Fucking hell

Gosling must be starting on Tuesday, his comeback can only be described as "cautious" which I guess is fair enough. Perch on the bench is a massive downer.

These commentators need telling that David Hoillet isn't white.

It'll be a meltdown if we lose despite Marveaux & Ba starting, especially if Shola & Ryan Taylor are dropped.

Typical Arsenal

Gael Givet has a magnificent beard.

I was planning to stick with Dzeko but can't be arsed with the rotation policy so I've put Agbonlahor in and brought Bale into midfield. Why not.

Assume Agonlahor will go up front and they'll start Bannan or Albrighton?

Probably translated for Santon "his knees fine" said Zamblera. Curse you Fabio!

Anybody done the bib-watch?

Classic from the Journal though. "Out for up to 4 weeks" in the headline. Out until at least the end of October in the text.

Pardew's after match comments (bottom of BBC report) suggests he knows he got it wrong and wants an extra man in midfield, problem is none of Obertan, Marveaux or Jonas (or Cabaye for that matter) are natural at playing "in the hole", so he doesn't seem too keen to do that from the outset. Bit of a dilemma until Ben Arfa is back which might not be too long away. My other worry for this game is that PArdew will see we have Forest on Tuesday and keep Santon back to bed him in in an "easier" game, which would be horrific. Ryan Taylor against Albrighton, N'Zogbia or Agbonlahor is just a disaster waiting to happen.

Can't believe Heskey went off injured last weekend. Just our luck.

Was anybody else amused by Sky's 5 minute bumming of Danny Simpson and his "amazing" pace?

So...when did all of our players decide that trying to beat 3 men instead of a 5 yard pass was the way forward?

Howay the two local lads up front, to be sure.

Tiote's "camera walk" is fucking terrifying

I really want a Skypad. Years of fun to be had with that bloody gadget

Taarabt, SWP & Barton all touted for free-roles at some point for them this season. All held together by Shaun Derry...

Where's the £6m figure come from btw? I read £2.2m yesterday with an option to buy for £6m.

Player prices may increase. Aye but I'd rather pay .1 more than transfer in someone who goes down with a 3 week injury I"m not saying it's a particularly great reason, but it's a reason. Player could get injured in the warm etc, so you could pay .1 more for someone who's out for 3 weeks. Fair point I guess, it's as good a reason as any.

Player prices may increase. Aye but I'd rather pay .1 more than transfer in someone who goes down with a 3 week injury

Why would anyone make transfers for the next game week now? I always wait until the team news is out before making any changes.